MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Efficacy

EF-ih-kuh-see

/ˈɛfɪkəsi/

The maximum response that can be achieved with a drug.

Effusion

ih-FYOO-zhun

/ɪˈfjuːʒən/

The escape of fluid from blood vessels into a body cavity.

Electrolyte

ih-LEK-truh-lyt

/ɪˈlɛktrəlaɪt/

Substances that become ions in solution and conduct electricity.

Elimination

ih-lim-ih-NAY-shun

/ɪˌlɪmɪˈneɪʃən/

Process by which a drug is removed from the body.

Elixir

ih-LIK-sur

/ɪˈlɪksər/

A clear, sweetened, hydroalcoholic oral liquid.

Embolism

EM-buh-liz-um

/ˈɛmbəlɪzəm/

The sudden blockage of an artery by a clot or bubble.

Emetic

ih-MET-ik

/ɪˈmɛtɪk/

A substance that causes vomiting.

Empirical

em-PEER-ih-kul

/ɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/

Therapy based on clinical experience rather than lab data.

Emulsion

ih-MUL-shun

/ɪˈmʌlʃən/

A mixture of two immiscible liquids.

Endocrine

EN-duh-krin

/ˈɛndəkrɪn/

Relating to glands which secrete hormones into the blood.

Endogenous

en-DOJ-uh-nus

/ɛnˈdɒdʒɪnəs/

Produced within the organism.

Enzyme

EN-zym

/ˈɛnzaɪm/

A biological catalyst.

Epidural

ep-ih-DOOR-ul

/ˌɛpɪˈdʊərəl/

Injection into the spinal canal around the dura mater.

Epinephrine

ep-ih-NEF-rin

/ˌɛpɪˈnɛfrɪn/

Hormone used to treat anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest.

Erythema

er-uh-THEE-muh

/ˌɛrɪˈθiːmə/

Superficial reddening of the skin.

Etiology

ee-tee-OL-uh-jee

/ˌiːtiˈɒlədʒi/

The cause or manner of causation of a disease.

Euphoria

yoo-FOR-ee-uh

/juːˈfɔːriə/

A state of intense excitement induced by certain drugs.

Exacerbation

eg-zas-ur-BAY-shun

/ɪɡˌzæsərˈbeɪʃən/

A worsening or flare-up of a disease.

Expectorant

ik-SPEK-tuh-runt

/ɪkˈspɛktərənt/

Medicine which promotes the secretion of sputum.

Extravasation

ek-strav-uh-SAY-shun

/ɪkˌstrævəˈseɪʃən/

Leakage of drug from a vessel into surrounding tissue.